Zero weight articulating access door

ABSTRACT

A weightless articulating door mount for a gaming machine is disclosed. The weightless articulating door mount has a four link mechanism and a cam. A biasing mechanism interacts with the weightless articulating door mount through the cam and provides a uniform force counteracting the weight of the door/monitor. With the door/monitor effectively weightless, the door may be opened and will remain in place absent any further disturbance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/718,957, filed Dec. 18, 2019, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/721,012,filed Sep. 29, 2017, and granted as U.S. Pat. No. 10,521,998, the entirecontents and disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by referencein their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter of the present disclosure relates to a door mount,and more particularly, to a gaming machine having an articulating doormount with a zero effective weight door.

In the casino gaming industry, the interior of gaming machines issecured to prevent unauthorized modification, but must be accessible toallow authorized maintenance and service. An access door is typicallyprovided to allow access to each component within the gaming machine.Modern gaming machines use video monitors to interact with a game playerand provide an immersive environment. In many gaming machines themonitors are placed on the access door and are designed to be a mainpoint of entry into a gaming cabinet. As screen technologies advance,monitors sizes increase and the size and weight of the door increases aswell.

In most cases, these access doors are opened by rotating on a hingepoint. For example they may swing horizontally, or rotate verticallyfrom a top or bottom hinge. The doors typically include a conventionallinear spring push such as a strut to assist opening the access door toaccess the interior of the cabinet. The linear spring may hold the dooropen if it is of sufficient size. However, as monitors and theirrespective access doors on which they are mounted grow in size, theability to lift and pivot the loaded access door is becoming moredifficult, requiring larger struts. Additionally, gaming machines becomeprone to tipping as the additional moving weight of the monitor swingsaway from the gaming machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, an articulating mount for an access door is disclosed.The articulating mount includes a four-link mechanism, a biasingmechanism, and a cam. The four link mechanism has a stationary linkconfigured to couple to a gaming console, a door link opposite thestationary link, the door link is configured to couple to a door, anupper link coupled to the stationary link and the door link, and a lowerlink coupled to the stationary link and the door link. The biasingmechanism is coupled to at least one link of the four link mechanism.The cam is coupled to a link adjacent the at least one link and providesa position dependent interface for the biasing mechanism to bias theorientation of the door link against a known force.

In another aspect, a gaming console is disclosed. The gaming consoleincludes a cabinet, a door, and at least one mount. The cabinet enclosesa processor and a non-transitory memory storing instructions forexecution of an electronic game of chance. The door provides access toan interior of the cabinet. The at least one mount secures the door tothe cabinet and includes a four-link mechanism, a biasing mechanism, anda cam. The four-link mechanism has a stationary link coupled to thegaming cabinet, a door link opposite the stationary link and coupled tothe door, an upper link rotatably coupled to the stationary link and thedoor link, and a lower link rotatably coupled to the stationary link andthe door link. The biasing mechanism is coupled to at least one link ofthe four link mechanism. The cam is coupled to a link adjacent the atleast one link and provides a position dependent interface for thebiasing mechanism to bias the orientation of the door link against aknown force.

In another aspect, a method of securing a door to a gaming console isdisclosed. The method includes rotatably securing a top link to thegaming console; rotatably securing a bottom link to the gaming console;rotatably securing the top link to the door; rotatably securing thebottom link to the door; coupling a cam to one of the top link, thebottom link, the door, and the gaming console; and providing an upwardbias to the door through the cam, the cam configured to provide auniform upward force to the door throughout a working range of the door.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the subject matter disclosed will now bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary gaming machine.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the exemplary gaming machine of FIG.1 with an access door in a raised configuration.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of exemplary components of a gaming system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of exemplary components of a memory for agaming system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of exemplary components of a gamingsystem.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary network gaming system.

FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary gaming machine.

FIG. 8 illustrates an isometric view of the exemplary gaming machine ofFIG. 7 with the monitor removed.

FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of a monitor door of the exemplarygaming machine of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 illustrates an isometric view of a rear portion of the monitordoor of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary door mount in aclosed position.

FIG. 12 illustrates the exemplary door mount of FIG. 11 with the doormount partially raised.

FIG. 13 illustrates the exemplary door mount of FIG. 11 with the doormount in a raised position.

FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of the exemplary door mount of FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 illustrates a side view of the exemplary door mount of FIG. 11with the door mount partially raised.

FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of the exemplary door mount of FIG. 11with the door mount raised.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to anarticulating door mount for a gaming machine. The articulating doormount facilitates the use of heavy doors, such as doors containing alarge monitor, which may otherwise be too heavy causing difficulty inoperation or a tipping hazard. In particular, embodiments of thearticulating door mount utilize a four link mechanism, a cam, and abiasing mechanism to bias the four link mechanism against the weight ofthe door.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary gaming machine 10. Gaming machine10 may include a support structure, housing, console or cabinet 12 thatprovides support for a plurality of interface units, displays, inputs,controls and other features of a conventional gaming machine. Gamingmachine 10 may be configured so that a player can operate it whilestanding or sitting. Moreover, gaming machine 10 may be positioned on abase or stand, or can be configured as a pub-style table-top game (notshown) that a player can operate while seated. Gaming machine 10 mayinclude varying numbers and styles of cabinets 12, displayconfigurations, and the like without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. Gaming machine 10 includes a display 14. Gamingmachine 10 may further include a mid-trim 20, which may house a bank ofbuttons 22 for enabling a player to interact with gaming machine 10and/or a credit input mechanism 24.

Gaming machine 10 may also include a player marketing module configuredto scan or read a player tracking device, such as, for example a loyaltyor player tracking card implemented within a casino as part of a loyaltyprogram. The player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flashdrive, and/or any other portable storage medium capable of being read bythe reading device. In some embodiments, the player marketing module maybe configured to transfer credits between gaming machine 10 and theplayer tracking device.

Gaming machine 10 may further include a top box 26, which may, in turn,include artwork, such as, for example, artwork depicting one or more paytables, bonus award information, an upper display (not shown), and/orother game information or imagery. Further artwork and/or informationmay be provided on a front panel 29 of console 12. A coin tray 30 may bemounted beneath front panel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from gamingmachine 10.

Display 14 may include, without limitation, a monitor, a televisiondisplay, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD) a displaybased on light emitting diodes (LED), a display based on a plurality oforganic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), a display based on polymerlight-emitting diodes (PLEDs), a display based on a plurality ofsurface-conduction electron-emitters (SEDs), a display including aprojected and/or reflected image or any other suitable electronic deviceor display mechanism. In an exemplary embodiment, display 14 includes atouch-screen or touch-sensitive screen. In various embodiments, display14 may be of any suitable size and configuration, such as any circular,square, rectangular, or other geometric configuration.

Display 14 may be further configured to provide haptic feedback. Top box26 may also include a display, which may be of the same or differentfrom display 14.

Display 14 may, in various embodiments, display a game and/or acceptgame play data from a player. Moreover, display 14 may also displayinformation relating to an interactive game, wager triggering event, orwagering outcome. In an exemplary embodiment, an upper display (notshown) mounted in top box 26 may display any wagering outcome, anysuitable secondary game associated or not associated with theinteractive game, or any information relating to the interactive games.The upper display may also be configured to accept game play data from aplayer.

Display 14 may, in addition, serve as digital signage operable toadvertise one or more games or other aspects of the gamingestablishment. In an exemplary embodiment, gaming machine 10 may alsoinclude a credit or fund display 20, which may display a player'scurrent number of credits, cash accumulated, account balance, anoriginal number of credits the player funded the gaming machine with, oran equivalent of any of the aforementioned, and the like. Moreover, inan exemplary embodiment, display 14 may display an amount being wageredor a player's accumulated winnings.

In an exemplary embodiment, and as described in greater detail herein,display 14 may display at least one game or game image, game symbol orsymbols, and game indicia, such as any visual representation orexhibition of a movement of objects, including, for example, anymechanical, virtual, or video reels and wheels, dynamic lighting, videoimages, images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards,and the like. In various embodiments, the symbols, images and indiciadescribed above may be displayed mechanically, such as by one or moremechanical or physical reels. In other words, display 14 may include anyelectromechanical device, such as one or more rotatable or spinningwheels, reels or dice, any of which may be configured to display atleast one or a plurality of games or other suitable images, symbols orindicia.

FIG. 2 is a front view of gaming machine 10 of FIG. 1, but illustratesdisplay 14 in a raised configuration in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment. Display 14 is coupled to console 12 through links 15, whichwill described further below. With display 14 in a raised configuration,an authorized individual may reach into an interior of the cabinet 12through a doorway 17 where display 14 was previously located. Display 14floats having zero effective weight and remains in the raised positionuntil the authorized individual lowers display 14. Display 14 may becoupled to links 15 through a door panel (not shown). Display 14 may besecured in place in the closed configured through the use of a lock.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary player interface 50 and gamecontroller 60 of gaming machine 10. Player interface 50 and gamecontroller 60 may be housed within gaming machine 10, such as on aprinted circuit board located within cabinet 12 of gaming machine 10. Asdescribed herein, player interface 50 may be arranged to enable manualinteraction between a player and the gaming system and for this purposeincludes various input/output components required for the player toenter instructions to play the game and observe the game outcomes.

Components of player interface 50 may include at least one credit inputmechanism 24, at least one display 14, a game play mechanism 56(including one or more input devices that enable a player to input gameplay instructions or place a wager), and/or one or more audio outputdevices 58 (e.g., one or more speakers).

Game controller 60 may be in data communication with player interface 50and may include at least one processor 62 or other suitable controller,such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller-based platform, a suitableintegrated circuit or one or more application-specific integratedcircuits (ASICs). Processor 62 may be coupled in communication with, ormay be operable to access or to exchange signals with, at least one datastorage module or memory 64. Processor 62 may thus be configured toretrieve game play instructions from memory 64, process the game playinstructions in accordance with game play rules, and output one or moregame play outcomes to display 14.

Memory 64 may include any suitable tangible, non-transitory,computer-readable storage medium. Memory 64 may store program code andinstructions, executable by processor 62, to control gaming machine 10.Memory 64 may also store other data, such as, for example, image data,one or more pay tables or pay table data, event data, player input data,random or pseudo-random number generators, or numbers generated by arandom number of pseudo-random number generator, look-up table data,and/or information and applicable game rules that relate to the play ofgaming machine 10.

With brief attention to FIG. 4, a block diagram of memory 64 is shown.Memory 64 may, in various embodiments, include a memory 103 (asdescribed herein with reference to FIG. 3). Memory 103 may includerandom access memory (RAM) 103A, such as non-volatile RAM (NVRAM),magnetic RAM (MRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM) and other forms ascommonly understood in the gaming industry. Memory 103 may furtherinclude read only memory (ROM), such as EPROM 103B or electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). Memory 64 may furtherinclude one or more mass storage devices 103C, such as one or more harddrives, one or more solid state or flash memory components, one or moreCD and/or DVD drives, and the like. Any other suitable magnetic,optical, and/or semiconductor memory may be used to operate inconjunction with gaming machine 10 that enables gaming machine 10 tofunction as described herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, RAM 103A may temporarily store one or moreprogram files (and/or other related data) for execution by processor 62.EPROM 103B may include a boot ROM device and/or may contain some systemor game related code. Mass storage device 103C may store one or moregame programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/orauthenticated by the processor 62 through the use of protected orencrypted code stored, for example, on EPROM 103B.

In various embodiments, part or all of the program code and/or operatingdata described above is stored in a detachable or removable memory,including, but not limited to, a suitable cartridge, disk, CD ROM, DVDor USB memory device. In addition, in various embodiments, all or partof the program code and/or operating data described above may bedownloadable to memory 64 by way of any suitable computer network.

In an exemplary embodiment, a desktop computer, a laptop personalcomputer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, a tabletcomputing device or other portable computing device, and/or any othercomputerized platform may implement the computing operations of thepresent disclosure. For example, any suitable mobile computing device,such as any smartphone or tablet computing device, may implement andenable gameplay as described herein. It should be appreciated that eachgaming machine 10 disclosed herein may include a device that hasobtained approval from a regulatory gaming commission or a device thathas not obtained approval from a regulatory gaming commission. It shouldalso be appreciated that processor 62 and memory 64 may be collectivelyreferred to herein as a “computer” or “controller.”

Returning briefly to FIG. 1, in an exemplary embodiment, credit inputmechanism 24 may be coupled in communication with processor 62. Creditinput mechanism 24 may include any suitable credit input mechanism ordevice, such as a coin input chute 24A, a bill or ticket collector 24B,and the like. Credit input mechanism may be configured to receive anysuitable monetary credit, such as money, coins, tokens, tickets, and thelike. In various embodiments, credit input mechanism 24 may furtherinclude card reader devices, such as credit or debit card readers orvalidators for credit cards, debit cards, printed ticket printers and/orreaders, and the like.

In various embodiments, a player may insert an identification card (notshown) into a card reader of gaming machine 10. The identification cardmay be a smart card that includes a programmed microchip or a magneticstrip coded with a player's identification, credit totals (or relateddata) and other relevant information. A player may further carry aportable device, such as a cell phone or smart phone, a radio frequencyidentification tag or any other suitable wireless communication device,which communicates a player's identification, credit totals (or relateddata) and other relevant information to gaming machine 10. In anembodiment, money may be transferred to gaming machine 10 via anelectronic funds transfer process. When a player funds gaming machine10, processor 62 may determine an amount of funds entered and displaythe corresponding amount on the display 14.

Game play mechanism 56 may include at least one input device that iscoupled in communication with processor 62. An input device may includeany device that enables a player to produce an input signal that isreceivable by processor 62. For example, in one embodiment, afterfunding gaming machine 10, the input device may include a gameactivation device, such as a pull arm or one or more play button 22 thatenables the player to start the game or a sequence of events in gamingmachine 10. Play button 22 may include any suitable play activator suchas a bet one button, a max bet button, or a repeat the bet button. In anembodiment, after appropriate funding of gaming machine 10, game playmay begin automatically.

In an exemplary embodiment, one input device may include a “Bet One”button. A player may place a wager or bet by pushing the Bet One buttonand may increase the wager by repeatedly depressing or selecting the BetOne button. In various embodiments, an input device includes a “Bet Max”button that enables a player to place a maximum wager permitted during aparticular game or game session.

In various embodiments, an input device may also include a “Cash Out”button. A player may depress or select a Cash Out button to receive acash payment or other suitable form of payment corresponding to thenumber of credits remaining. In an embodiment, when the player cashesout, the player receives coins or tokens in a coin payout tray. A playermay further receive tickets or credit slips, or the player'selectronically recordable identification card may be funded, in responseto selection of a Cash Out button.

In various embodiments, an input device may include a touch-screen thatis coupled to a touch-screen controller, or some other touch-sensitivedisplay overlay, to enable player interaction with images presented ondisplay 14. A touch-screen and/or touch-screen controller may becommunicatively coupled to a video controller, such that a player mayprovide input signals to gaming machine 10 by physically manipulating orinteracting with the touch-screen.

Gaming machine 10 may include a sensor, such as a camera (not shown)coupled in communication with processor 62. The camera may, in variousembodiments, be controlled by processor 62, such that a player maydirect the orientation and focus of the camera to acquire an image of aplayer actively playing gaming machine 10 and/or a surrounding area ofgaming machine 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the camera mayselectively acquire still or moving (e.g., video) images and may beconfigured to acquire the images in either an analog, digital, or othersuitable format. Display 14 may be configured to display the imageacquired by the camera, as well as to display the visible manifestationof the game in split screen or picture-in-picture fashion. For example,the camera may acquire an image of the player and processor 62 mayincorporate that image into the interactive and/or secondary game as agame image, symbol or indicia.

FIG. 5 illustrates a more detailed block diagram of various exemplaryfunctional components of a gaming machine 100, which may be the same asor different from gaming machine 10 (as shown in FIG. 3). The foregoingdescription of components (e.g., display 14, player interface 50, andgame controller 60) may therefore apply to the description of similarcomponents in gaming machine 100. For instance, processor 62 may be thesame as or different from 102, as described below. Similarly, memory 64may be the same as or different from memory 103 as described below.

Accordingly, gaming machine 100 may include a game controller 101 (whichmay include a processor 102 mounted on a circuit board, as described ingreater detail above). Instructions and data to control operation ofprocessor 102 may be stored in a memory 103 that is in datacommunication with processor 102. Gaming machine 100 may include bothvolatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type ofmemory, with such memories being collectively represented by memory 103.

Gaming machine 100 may further include one or more gaming meters, suchas, for example, one or more meters implemented in software, one or morehardware meters 104, and/or any suitable combination of software and/orhardware meters (to ensure regulatory compliance and to monitor playercredit). Gaming machine 100 may also include an input/output (I/O)interface 105 for communicating with peripheral devices of gamingmachine 100. Input/output interface 105 and/or the peripheral devicesmay include intelligent devices with their own memory for storingassociated instructions and data. A random number generator module 113may generate random numbers for use by processor 102. Persons skilled inthe art will appreciate that random number generator module 113 includesa pseudo-random number generator.

In an exemplary embodiment, a player interface 120 includes peripheraldevices that communicate with game controller 101 including one or moredisplays 106, a touch screen and/or input buttons 107 (which provide agame play mechanism), and a credit input mechanism, such as a cardand/or ticket reader 108, a printer 109, a bill acceptor and/or coininput mechanism 110, and a coin output mechanism 111. The credit inputmechanism is configured to receive a credit wager to initiate play of abase game, and establish a credit balance (e.g., using the receivedcredit wager) that is increasable and decreasable based on wageringactivity within a game. Player interface 120 also includes a payoutmechanism such as a printer 109 and/or a coin output mechanism 111. Thepayout mechanism is configured to output a payout to a player of gamingmachine 100 based on an outcome of the game (e.g., a base game and/or afeature game).

Additional hardware may be included as part of gaming machine 100, orhardware may be omitted as required for the specific implementation. Forexample, although buttons or touch screens are typically used in gamingmachines to allow a player to place a wager and to initiate a play of agame any input device that enables the player to input game playinstructions may be used. For example, in some gaming machines amechanical handle may be used to initiate a play of the game. Personsskilled in the art will also appreciate that a touch screen can be usedto emulate other input devices, such as, for example, a touch screenthat can display virtual buttons that a player can “press” by touchingthe screen where they are displayed.

In addition, gaming machine 100 may include a communications interface,such as, for example a network card 112. Network card 112 may, forexample, send status information, accounting information and/or otherinformation to a bonus controller, central controller, server ordatabase and receive data or commands from the bonus controller, centralcontroller, an/or server or database. In various embodiments (e.g.,embodiments that employ a player marketing module), communications overa network may be via the player marketing module—e.g., the playermarketing module may be in data communication with one or more of theabove devices.

In various embodiments, components of gaming machine 100 may bedistributed. For example, in an embodiment, input/output devices 106,107, 108, 109, 110, and 111 may be provided remotely from gamecontroller 101.

FIG. 6 illustrates such an exemplary distributed gaming system 200.Gaming system 200 may include a network 201, which, for example, mayinclude a wired or wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi or BLUETOOTHnetwork, an Ethernet network, an RS-232 network, and/or any combinationthereof. In an exemplary embodiment, gaming machines 202, shown arrangedin three banks 203 of two gaming machines 202, are connected to network201. Gaming machines 202 may provide a player operable interface and maybe the same as (or substantially similar to) the gaming machines 10 and100 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4), or may have simplified functionalitydepending, for example, on various game play requirements.

One or more displays 204 may also be connected to network 201. Forexample, displays 204 may be associated with one or more banks 203 ofgaming machines. Displays 204 may be used to display representationsassociated with game play on gaming machines 202 and/or used to displayother representations, such as, for example promotional or informationalmaterial. Displays 204 may be the same as or substantially similar todisplay 14, as described above.

In a thick client embodiment, game server 205 may implement part of thegame played by a player using gaming machine 202, and gaming machine 202may implement part of the game. In such an embodiment, insofar as bothgame server 205 and gaming machine 202 may implement part of the game,they may collectively include a game controller. A database managementserver 206 may manage storage of game programs and associated data fordownloading or access by gaming machines 202 in a database 206A.Typically, if gaming system 200 enables players to participate in ajackpot game, a jackpot server 207 may be provided to perform accountingfunctions for the jackpot game. A loyalty program server 212 may also beprovided.

In a thin client embodiment, game server 205 may implement most or allof the game played by a player using gaming machine 202, and gamingmachine 202 may, in essence, function provide little more than theplayer interface. In such an embodiment, game server 205 may include thegame controller. Gaming machine 202 may thus receive player instructionsand transmit those instructions to game server 205. Further, in a thinclient embodiment, gaming machines 202 may be computer terminals, suchas, for example, personal computers, laptop computers, tablet computingdevices, smartphones, and the like running software that provides aplayer interface. Other client/server configurations are contemplatedand are within the scope of this disclosure. Additional details of aclient/server architecture may be found in WO 2006/052213 andPCT/SE2006/000559, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

One or more servers may be provided to assist in the administration ofgaming system 200. Such servers may include, for example, a gaming floormanagement server 208, and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use oflicenses relating to particular games. An administrator terminal 210 maybe provided to allow an administrator to run network 201 and the devicesconnected to network 201.

Gaming system 200 may communicate with other gaming systems and/or otherlocal networks, such as, for example a corporate network, and/or a widearea network such as the Internet Communications may be filtered througha firewall 211.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with knowntechniques, functionality at the server side of network 201 may bedistributed over a plurality of different computers. For example,elements may be run as a single “engine” on one server or a separateserver may be provided. For example, game server 205 may implement arandom number generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random numbergenerator server may be provided. Further, persons skilled in the artwill appreciate that a plurality of game servers may be provided toimplement different games or a single game server may implement aplurality of different games as required by the terminals.

In an exemplary embodiment, a player may place a wager using the gameplay mechanism 56. A game (or game session) may be initiated in responseto placement of the wager, a plurality of symbols randomly drawn, and agame (or game session) outcome determined based upon the symbols drawn.A game outcome may be compared to a pay table (which may be stored in acomputer memory) to determine a payout or award (also referred to hereinas a win entitlement). Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that aplayer's wager can be varied from game to game dependent on playerselections.

In various embodiments, a wager may include a selection of a number oflines to be played during a game session. Such lines may include aninterconnected combination of symbol display positions. Each selectedline may be evaluated to identify winning combinations of symbols. A paytable (e.g., a pay table stored in memory 64) may be referenced toidentify a payout or award based upon an identified winning combinationof symbols. In various embodiments, an award may be multiplied orincreased by a multiplication factor as well.

In an exemplary embodiment, gaming machine 202 may generate an awardthat is not based solely upon a number of a lines selected. For example,“scatter” pays (e.g., randomly selected awards that are not identifiedbased upon a plurality of adjacent symbols) may be awarded independentlyof a player's selection of pay lines.

In many gaming machines, monitors are placed on the access door and aredesigned to be a main point of entry into the gaming cabinet for serviceand repair. Having the monitor mounted on the access door enables accessto the monitor and the door to be concealed around the monitor.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary gaming machine 700 having a zeroeffective weight articulating door. Gaming machine 700 has a cabinet 704with a monitor 702 acting as an access door. Monitor 702 is secured tocabinet 704 by way of an articulating door mount as will be describedbelow. Although aspects of the exemplary embodiment will be described inreference to a monitor, it should be understood that the embodiments areapplicable to weighted doors and combinations of doors and monitors.When installed, monitor 702 moves between a first position coveringdoorway 708 inhibiting access to interior 706 of cabinet 704 and asecond position in which doorway 708 is exposed, allowing access tointerior 706.

FIG. 8 illustrates exemplary gaming machine 700 of FIG. 7, but withmonitor 702 removed to show interior 706 of cabinet 704. Monitor 702couples to articulating door mount 710 through conventional means suchas bolts and screws. FIG. 9 illustrates monitor 702 and articulatingdoor mount 710 removed from cabinet 704 for clarity. Articulating doormount 710 is configured to be secured to cabinet 704 throughconventional means, such as a bolt or screw through mounting holes inbracket 705. FIG. 10 illustrates the back side of monitor 702 witharticulating door mount 710 removed. Monitor 702 has a mounting surface703 configured to be secured to articulating door mount 710.

FIG. 11 through FIG. 13 illustrate exemplary articulating door mount710, but with monitor 702 removed for clarity. FIG. 11 illustratesarticulating door mount 710 in a lowered or closed position, FIG. 12illustrates articulating door mount 710 in a partially open position,and FIG. 13 illustrates articulating door mount 710 in a raised or openposition. Articulating door mount 710 secures monitor 702 to cabinet 704and supports monitor 702 when accessing interior 706 of cabinet 704. Atleast one linkage assembly 712 is used to guide monitor 702 up and downin a determined path. Multiple linkage assemblies 712 may be used toimprove rotational stability of monitor 702. Additionally, linkageassemblies 712 may share components. For example, a link may beelongated horizontally and span multiple linkage assemblies. Exemplaryarticulating door mount 710 has two linkage assemblies 712, althoughmore or less linkage assemblies are possible.

Linkage assembly 712 has a stationary link 716, a door link 714, anupper link 718, and a lower link 720. A biasing mechanism 726 biasesdoor link 714 upward through a cam 724. Biasing mechanism 726 is coupledto a link and cam 724 is coupled to an adjacent link. In the exemplaryembodiment, biasing mechanism 726 is coupled to stationary link 716 andcam 724 is integrated in lower link 720. In other embodiments, thebiasing mechanism may be coupled to any one of the links and the cam toan adjacent link. For example, if a biasing mechanism were coupled tolower link 720, cam would be coupled to either stationary link 716 ordoor link 714.

Each link is secured to an adjacent link through a rotatable coupling. Arotatable coupling is defined as a connection that secures two points ofadjacent components together preventing translation but allowingrotation. A hinge is an example of a rotatable coupling that allowsrotation in a single direction. A ball and socket is an example of arotatable coupling that allows rotation in a three directions. In theexemplary embodiments, the links are secured together by the shaft of abolt passing through eyeholes in the links allowing the links to rotateabout the axis of the shaft.

Stationary link 716 is configured to be secured to cabinet 704.Stationary link 716 may be secured to cabinet 704 through bolts 722 orother conventional fasteners. Stationary link 716 may be removed fromcabinet 704 for ease in assembly and maintenance by removing bolts 722.Door link 714 is configured to be coupled to monitor 702 and moves ateach end relative to cabinet 704. Door link 714 may be a separate linksecured to monitor 702 or a door, or door link 714 may be the door ormonitor itself. For example, door link 714 could be a rigid door havingan upper tab with an eyehole and a lower tab with an eyehole forconnection to a link. Upper link 718 is rotatably coupled to door link714 through a first rotatable coupling 715 and to stationary link 716through a second rotatable coupling 717. Similarly, lower link 720 isrotatably coupled to door link 714 through a third rotatable coupling719 and to stationary link 716 through a fourth rotatable coupling 721.

Opposing links may be of equal length. For example, upper link 718 andlower link 720 may be the same length, and door link 714 and stationarylink 716 may be the same length. In such embodiments, door link 714 andstationary link 716 remain parallel throughout their movement. Thus,monitor 702 mounted to door link 714 would remain at the same angle asmonitor 702 is lifted.

Biasing mechanism 726 is configured to bias door link 714 upward.Biasing mechanism 724 may bias door link upward directly, or morecommonly through another link. For example, a torque bias on eitherupper link 718 or lower link 720 will bias door link 714. Biasingmechanism 726 may be a spring and in the exemplary embodiment is atorsion spring.

Biasing mechanism 726 interacts with cam 724 to provide a relativelyconstant bias to door link 714, such that the weight of monitor 702 issupported at each position of door link 714. Having a relativelyconstant bias results in a monitor that has the sensation of beingweightless. In the exemplary embodiment, a torsion spring biases arm 728to rotate about torsion spring. Arm 728 contacts cam 726 and biases cam724. Because cam 724 is coupled to lower link 720, contact with the arm728 provides a torque bias to lower link 720 which then biases door link714 upward.

The torsion spring is advantageous in that it may have a relativelyconstant force when compressed. A conventional spring, such as a linearspring requires a linearly increasing force to compress it. As a result,a door biased by a linear spring may have a bias force much greater thanthe weight of the door and monitor when it is compressed, causing themto lift or spring when the door is opened. A torsion spring, incomparison, may have a relatively constant torque throughout its rangeof motion putting a uniform pressure on the linkage. The force needed tolift the door is therefore relatively constant. By reducing theeffective weight of the monitor door, an operator may open and close thedoor without having to overcome an additional force need to keep thedoor open.

In some embodiments, biasing mechanism 726 is made from several smallrods in torsion. The spring rate of the biasing mechanism 726 isdetermined by the number and size of the small rods. If there is afailure in a rod of the biasing mechanism 726, the spring rate is onlyreduced by a small percent preventing monitor 702 from fully closing.This protects the operator from being injured from a falling monitor 702in any position. One benefit of using a biasing mechanism 726 to givezero weight to monitor 702 is that all required variables are constant,so the operation life of the cabinet door can be calculated withoutaddition inputs like shelf life, opposing force and environmentalfactors. By determining the operation life, the cabinet door can have adetermined replacement schedule past the operation life of the cabinetmaking the door operation service free.

Linkage assembly 712 prevents monitor 702 from swinging out excessivelywhile maintaining monitor 702 in an upright position during movement. Ascan be seen in a comparison of FIG. 10 and FIG. 12, when monitor 702 israised to its maximum vertical extent, its horizontal displacement isminimal compared to a conventional swinging door.

Cam 724 may be a separate component mounted to a link, or in someembodiments cam 724 may be integrally formed with a link. For instance,in the exemplary embodiment, cam 724 and lower link 720 are a singlepiece. Cam 724 provides a smooth transition surface biasing mechanism726 apply its bias. Biasing mechanism 726 pushes cam 724 with enoughforce to counteract the weight of monitor 702 and linkage assembly 712allowing monitor 702 to become effectively weightless. Because monitor702 is essentially weightless, monitor 702 remains in any position atwhich it is left. For example, if a user moves it halfway up, it remainshalfway up absent any further force.

FIG. 14 through FIG. 16 are side views of articulating door mount 710and illustrate the operation of biasing mechanism 726 and cam 724. FIG.14 illustrates articulating door mount 710 in a closed position, FIG. 15illustrates articulating door mount 710 in a mid-position, and FIG. 16illustrates articulating door mount 710 in an open position. In each ofthese positions, cam 724 and biasing mechanism 726 cooperate to providea relatively constant upward force balancing the weight of monitor 702.The force exerted by biasing mechanism 726 is related to the effectiveradius of cam 724. When cam 724 has a low effective radius, there islittle relative preload on biasing mechanism 726 and the bias isminimal. When cam 724 has a higher effective radius, the preload ofbiasing mechanism 726 increases and the bias force is increased.

In FIG. 14, the weight of monitor 702 is nearly tangential to the lowerlink 720, and a minimal amount of torque is required to counteract theweight of the monitor 702. In this position, cam 724 has a minimumeffective radius and provides little pre-load to biasing mechanism 726.In FIG. 15, the weight of monitor 702 is perpendicular to lower link 720and the greatest amount of torque is required to balance the weight ofmonitor 702. In this position, cam 724 has a greater effective radiuspre-loading biasing mechanism 726. This in turn results in a greaterforce being applied to the lower link 720, balancing the weight ofmonitor 702. In FIG. 16, monitor 702 is at its maximum height. Theweight of monitor 702 is again nearly tangential to the lower link 720and less preload is required from biasing mechanism 726 to supportmonitor 702. Thus cam 724 has a lower effective radius in this position.Additionally, cam 724 includes a stop 728 preventing monitor 702 frombeing over opened.

Monitors of varying weight may be supported using the described system.Different weights will require biasing mechanisms having differentspring constants. For example, a lighter monitor may be supported byremoving some of the rods from the torsion spring, while a heaviermonitor may be supported by adding rods to the torsion spring. Becausethe range of motion would not change, the cam may be reused in suchembodiments. If a different biasing mechanism were used, or if thegeometry of the linkage assemblies were changed, it may be necessary touse a different cam shape. In general, in areas requiring a greaterbias, the cam has a greater radius to preload the biasing mechanism,while in areas requiring lower bias; the cam has a reduced radius.

Exemplary embodiments of a gaming machine, a monitor door, and a doormount for electronic gaming are described above in detail. Thedisclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein,but rather, components of the systems and/or articles and/or steps ofthe methods may be utilized independently and separately from othercomponents and/or steps described herein. For example, the configurationof components described herein may also be used in combination withother processes, and is not limited to practice with the systems,articles, and related methods as described herein. Rather, the exemplaryembodiment can be implemented and utilized in connection with manyapplications in which a game or bonus game is desired.

Although specific features of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is forconvenience only. In accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed incombination with any feature of any other drawing.

This written description uses examples to disclose the embodiments ofthe present disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable anyperson skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including makingand using any devices or systems and performing any incorporatedmethods. The patentable scope of the embodiments described herein isdefined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur tothose skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be withinthe scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do notdiffer from the literal language of the claims, or if they includeequivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from theliteral language of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An articulating mount for an access door,comprising: a linkage assembly comprising a plurality of links, thelinkage assembly configured to be fixedly coupled to a gaming console; acam coupled to a first link of the plurality of links, the camcomprising an arcuate cam surface; a biasing mechanism coupled to asecond link of the plurality of links, the second link rotatably coupledto the first link; and an arm coupled to the biasing mechanism andextending outwardly therefrom, the arm configured for rotation about thebiasing mechanism and positioned to engage the arcuate cam surface. 2.The mount of claim 1, wherein each link of the plurality of links isrotatably coupled to at least one additional link of the plurality oflinks.
 3. The mount of claim 1, wherein the first link is rotatablycoupled to the second link.
 4. The mount of claim 1, wherein the cam isintegrally formed with the first link.
 5. The mount of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of links further comprises a third link configured to befixedly coupled to at least one of a monitor and a door, wherein thethird link is selectively moveable relative to the second link between aclosed position, in which the third link is positioned adjacent thesecond link, and an opened position, in which the third link ispositioned laterally away from the second link.
 6. The mount of claim 5,wherein the third link is configured to remain substantially parallel tothe second link as the third link is moved between the opened positionand the closed position.
 7. The mount of claim 5, wherein the armengages the cam surface at a first circumferential position on the camsurface when the third link is in the closed position, the arm engagingthe cam surface at a second, different, circumferential position whenthe third link is in the opened position.
 8. The mount of claim 7,wherein the cam surface has a substantially constant curvature betweenthe first circumferential position and the second circumferentialposition.
 9. The mount of claim 8, wherein the cam surface includes astop adjacent the second circumferential position.
 10. The mount ofclaim 5, wherein, when the third link is in the opened position, thethird link is raised relative to the second link and the first link isoriented obliquely relative to the third link.
 11. The mount of claim 5,wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to bias the third linktoward the opened position.
 12. The mount of claim 5, wherein the thirdlink is a monitor for the gaming console.
 13. The mount of claim 1,wherein the biasing mechanism is a torsion spring.
 14. A gaming console,comprising: a cabinet enclosing a processor and a non-transitory memorystoring instructions for execution of an electronic game of chance; adoor providing access to an interior of the cabinet; and at least onemount securing the door to the cabinet, the at least one mountcomprising: a linkage assembly comprising a plurality of links, thelinkage assembly fixedly coupled to the cabinet; a cam coupled to afirst link of the plurality of links, the cam comprising an arcuate camsurface; a biasing mechanism coupled to a second link of the pluralityof links, the second link rotatably coupled to the first link; and anarm coupled to the biasing mechanism and extending outwardly therefrom,the arm configured for rotation about the biasing mechanism andpositioned to engage the arcuate cam surface.
 15. The gaming console ofclaim 14, wherein each link of the plurality of links is rotatablycoupled to at least one additional link of the plurality of links. 16.The gaming console of claim 14, wherein the first link is rotatablycoupled to the second link.
 17. The gaming console of claim 14, whereinthe plurality of links further comprises a third link configured to befixedly coupled to at least one of a monitor and a door, wherein thethird link is selectively moveable relative to the second link between aclosed position, in which the third link is positioned adjacent thesecond link, and an opened position, in which the third link ispositioned laterally away from the second link.
 18. The gaming consoleof claim 17, wherein the third link is configured to remainsubstantially parallel to the second link as the third link is movedbetween the opened position and the closed position.
 19. The gamingconsole of claim 17, wherein the arm engages the cam surface at a firstcircumferential position on the cam surface when the third link is inthe closed position, the arm engaging the cam surface at a second,different, circumferential position when the third link is in the openedposition.
 20. The gaming console of claim 19, wherein the cam surfacehas a substantially constant curvature between the first circumferentialposition and the second circumferential position.